Super Cheap DIY Computer Automation / Monitoring / Control

[Aleister93]

You can get K-Type thermocouples off of eBay incredibly cheap, like, less than $5 each. At least -50C to 250C, perfect for this kind of application.

You can use them in water too, they generate a voltage based on temperature. The only problem I can for see is that they usually output a small voltage, like uV/C.

My thermistors were 55 cents each. I'm OK with using a buck's worth of epoxy to pot them. just shouldn't have used the epoxy PUTTY, or should have used more of it. (since one sealed OK and one didn't) and, 100k @ 25C thermistors were what Dataq recommended on their web page, though the exact part they recommended, the link is bad.

 

[Atarijedi]

My thermistors were 55 cents each. I'm OK with using a buck's worth of epoxy to pot them. just shouldn't have used the epoxy PUTTY, or should have used more of it. (since one sealed OK and one didn't) and, 100k @ 25C thermistors were what Dataq recommended on their web page, though the exact part they recommended, the link is bad.

The last time I had to waterproof something for electronics, I used some liquid tape.

 

[haxor]

http://www.8051projects.net/downloads209.html

 

[NES]

This is my first post here so sorry for if I repeat any information that is already on the site. I really like this site so far and I will continue to read and find out if growing is really worth it.

Now for my relative information. I know of a company that sells PLC's with built in I/O and free software for cheap! Base model priced around $250! Everything can be done from this little guy and best of all anyone with very little technical knowledge can do it. Its all based off ladder logic and it can even display values, datalog, and trend! It comes with 8DI, 8DO, 2AI, and 2AO. With this I/O anything can be done. It also has built in communication for Serial, Modbus and many others. You can also buy expandable modules for almost unlimited I/O for cheap.

If I do plan on growing, I'm defiantly using this! There is so many possibilities.

 

[fatalflowers]

Hi NES, what's the make n model of the plc your going to use, thats got all the digital and analogue I/O ports.
This unit sounds great,.would be nice if you could provide a little info on the name or where to get it.
Thanks for the info about the PLC in the first place though,.sounds well interesting.
Cheers

 

[Jason Hadley]

Nothing but love her, but all the technicals around the DIY part sent my head spinning, and all I can think is, the guys are auto grow, growtronix, link 4, and smart bee controllers have done all this work for you. That's the value in the investment, no?. The Smartbee system gives light, temp, RH, CO2, a smart surge strip for on/offing up to 4, 3rd-party devices, and makes everything remotely accessible and you can make changes from their iPad app for around $1200US. It lacks fertigation and security monitoring, which I'm sure is down the line but when you're at the movies with your sweetheart and something goes haywire, you'll get a text or email letting you know to get down to your grow.